Man shot to death in Stockton

STOCKTON - While their children played in the front yard, a man and his wife stood on the sidewalk Saturday afternoon looking at shards of broken glass and the bloodstained street in front of their new home.

STOCKTON - While their children played in the front yard, a man and his wife stood on the sidewalk Saturday afternoon looking at shards of broken glass and the bloodstained street in front of their new home.

Alberto and Sandra Zaragoza have only lived in the home for three weeks, but in that short span they have already seen a residential robbery, car burglaries and, now, a homicide.

A 52-year-old man was shot to death about 12:45 a.m. Saturday on South Union Street between East Lafayette and East Sonora streets, authorities said. When police officers, firefighters and paramedics arrived, they located the victim lying in the street outside a neighborhood bar.

The victim was taken to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries, Silva said. The man's name has not been released.

Alberto Zaragoza said it appeared the victim was shot while sitting in his truck about 50 yards south of the corner bar. He said the victim then drove his truck to the corner, stopped in front of the bar and cried for help before falling out of the truck and into the street, where large bloodstains were still visible Saturday afternoon.

Investigators have no description of the killer, and they are still trying to determine a motive for the shooting, Silva said. This is the 14th homicide Stockton police have investigated this year.

Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to call the Stockton Police Department at (209) 937-8377, the Investigations Unit at (209) 937-8323 or Crime Stoppers at (209) 946-0600. Crime Stoppers pays cash rewards up to $10,000. Callers can remain anonymous.

Cellphone users can text information to 274637 (CRIMES) by entering the keyword "TIPSPD" followed by their tip. Internet users can visit the Police Department's Facebook page and click "Submit a Tip."

Contact reporter Jason Anderson at (209) 546-8279 or janderson@recordnet.com. Follow him at recordnet.com/crimeblog or on Twitter @Stockton911.